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Understanding Professionals' Perspectives on Access to Care for Patients with Carcinoma of the Urinary Bladder in Scotland: A Qualitative Study
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 4, July 2016
Pages:
75-81
Received:
8 May 2016
Accepted:
24 May 2016
Published:
4 June 2016
Abstract: Urinary bladder carcinoma is the most frequently occurring cancer of the urinary tract. Like any other types of cancer the diagnosis, treatment and overall management of urinary bladder cancer is not only expensive but also time consuming. During all these procedures, patients face several barriers while accessing care. The physicians and healthcare administrative or policy makers have the opportunity to closely observe patients' situation or their view towards existing policy and support system. Objective of this study is to explore professionals' perspective on access to care for patients with urinary bladder carcinoma in Scotland in order to identify recent progresses and difficulties faced by patients at different stages of management of the disease. Semi structured interview approach was chosen for its suitability for exploring attitudes, values, beliefs and motives. A total of twelve participants were interviewed. All the twelve participants were chosen through purposive sampling. A phenomenological approach was used to explore perspectives of these twelve professionals having experience of treating patients with urinary bladder carcinoma. All the participants despite of the differences in their views have identified backlog and/or long standing waiting list, lack of patient centered care and shortage of infrastructure, as major barriers in access to care for urinary bladder carcinoma patients. The major gaps identified were inefficiencies of the system and lack of focus on bladder cancer. According to the participants' financial deficiency, systemic complication, age group and socio-economic status of patients are the biggest challenges to overcome these barriers. Professionals gave their opinion for increasing the capacity of the service by establishing bladder cancer care centers and also employing skilled workforce in accordance to the patient number in these centers.
Abstract: Urinary bladder carcinoma is the most frequently occurring cancer of the urinary tract. Like any other types of cancer the diagnosis, treatment and overall management of urinary bladder cancer is not only expensive but also time consuming. During all these procedures, patients face several barriers while accessing care. The physicians and healthcar...
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Frequency of Intestinal Parasites Among Sudanese Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Sara Lavinia Brair,
Linda Bashier Eltayeb,
Sara Abdelghani Elgazy,
Abdelsalam Mohammad Nail,
Alfatih Saifudinn Aljafari
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 4, July 2016
Pages:
82-85
Received:
22 May 2016
Accepted:
3 June 2016
Published:
18 June 2016
Abstract: The objective of this case control study is to identify the relationship between intestinal parasitic infection and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) among Sudanese patients. Method: Two hundred patients diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and were attended Health Facilities at Khartoum State were enrolled, together with 99 apparently healthy controls. Patients were classified into three groups (IBS-all types, IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D), and IBS with constipation (IBS-C)). Stool specimens were collected form study population and all were subjected to microscopic examination following wet saline preparation, formal-ether concentration technique, Z. N stain, and in vitro cultivation in Locke egg medium. Results: Intestinal parasites were detected in 32% (64/200) of IBS-all types; and in 16.2% (16/99) of control group (P. value 0.005). For patients, 20 (10%) were positive for the Entamoeba cyst, 3 (1.5%) Giardia lamblia cysts, and 41 (20.5%) were positive for Blastocystis hominis cyst. For control, Entamoeba species were detected in 10 (10.1%), G. lambelia one case (1.1%), and B. hominis in 5 (5.2%). Blastocystis hominis was significantly prevalent among IBS-all types than the control group (P. value 0.02). It is more frequent among patients with IBS- D than those with IBS-C (P. value 0.001). Conclusion: This study concluded that, there is a statistical association between presence of intestinal parasites and IBS on study population. Blastocystis hominis was found more frequently detected parasite, and it was found significantly associated with IBS- diarrhea.
Abstract: The objective of this case control study is to identify the relationship between intestinal parasitic infection and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) among Sudanese patients. Method: Two hundred patients diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and were attended Health Facilities at Khartoum State were enrolled, together with 99 apparently health...
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Risk Ratio Differences in the Exposure to Caesarean Section in the Central Area of the Western Highlands of Yemen
Amat Al-Khaleq O. Mehrass,
Abdulelah H. Al-Adhroey,
Abdullatif D. Ali
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 4, July 2016
Pages:
86-90
Received:
6 June 2016
Accepted:
16 June 2016
Published:
29 June 2016
Abstract: Compared to vaginal deliveries, caesarean section (C-section) is a major surgery that could be associated with higher risks of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity. In Yemen, some recent reports indicated overuses of C-section. This was a cross-sectional study aimed to assess the risk ratio difference in C-section exposure between Yemeni mothers according to their demographic variables. A total of 400 participants of reproductive age visiting health centers for obstetric care in the central area of the western highlands of Yemen were randomly interviewed using a pretested questionnaire. The results found that the prevalence of C-section exposure among the study participants was 22%. Mothers’ demographic variables showed significant differences in the risk ratio of C-section exposure. Among these variables, large differences in the risk ratio of C-section exposure were estimated between urban versus rural (RR = 3.9, ER = 2.9, P ˂ 0.001) and literate versus illiterate mothers (RR = 3.8, ER = 2.8, P ˂ 0.001). Relatively moderate differences were revealed by parity and maternal age variables (RR = 2.7; ER = 1.7; P ˂ 0.001, RR = 2.6; ER = 1.6; P ˂ 0.001, respectively). Age at marriage, employment status, and visiting health services practice, however, were associated with low differences in the C-section exposure. To strengthen the mother and infant health programs in Yemen, maternal variables including place of residence and educational status should be considered as predictors for either an unnecessary or additionally needed C-section.
Abstract: Compared to vaginal deliveries, caesarean section (C-section) is a major surgery that could be associated with higher risks of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity. In Yemen, some recent reports indicated overuses of C-section. This was a cross-sectional study aimed to assess the risk ratio difference in C-section exposure between Yemeni mot...
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Effectiveness of the Devolved Primary Health Care Gatekeeper System in Machakos County, Kenya
Desire Aime Nshimirimana,
Wanja Mwaura-Tenambergen,
Donald Kokonya,
Maureen Adoyo
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 4, July 2016
Pages:
91-99
Received:
12 June 2016
Accepted:
22 June 2016
Published:
30 June 2016
Abstract: The low health outcomes and inequities problems in developing countries are due to ineffective gate keeping at the Primary Health Care (PHC) level, non-adherence to policy and dysfunctional health infrastructure. This study was conducted at 100 PHC centres sampled using Taro Yamane formula, in Machakos County, Kenya, from March to May 2015. It involved 8 gender-based focus group discussions (FGDs) with patients and their caretakers. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected from emancipated children and adults aged 15-65 years excluding the disabled due to data integrity issues. The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 20.0 and Atlas.ti 7 software were used for data analysis. Correlation was done using the Spearman rho test and significance was set at <0.05. A questionnaire return rate of 83% was achieved of whom 84.3% were nurses (p<0.001) nurses and 15.7% were diploma holders in clinical medicine (clinical officers). The health workers were young (P<0.001) and married (p<0.001). A proportional relationship (rho=0.383, p< .001) existed between the number of out-patients received and cases referred to hospitals. Most gatekeepers were ignorant (p=0.04) about the Policy on the patients’ referral yet they did not officially refer patients (80.7%). Most (63.5%) of the hospitals receiving self-referrals did not ask for referral letters. Policy and referral letters were found to be necessary (p=0.004). The gatekeepers’ non-adherence to policy, lack of laboratory services and shortages of drugs contributed to self-referral by patients, creating a burden on the resources for healthcare, resulting in inefficiency at the PHC level. This study recommends a review of the gatekeeping system at the PHC level, capacity building, quality assurance, redefinition and strengthening of the office of the gatekeepers, regularization of supplies and reinforcement of the patient referral policy, staff motivation and best practices in customer care.
Abstract: The low health outcomes and inequities problems in developing countries are due to ineffective gate keeping at the Primary Health Care (PHC) level, non-adherence to policy and dysfunctional health infrastructure. This study was conducted at 100 PHC centres sampled using Taro Yamane formula, in Machakos County, Kenya, from March to May 2015. It invo...
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Review of Facial Nerve Palsy at a Tertiary Hospital in Maiduguri, Nigeria
Maduagwu Stanley,
Umeonwuka Chuka Ifeanyi,
Saidu Zuwera,
Oyeyemi Adetoyeje Yunus,
Dabkana Theophilus,
Jaiyeola Olabode Abiodun
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 4, July 2016
Pages:
100-103
Received:
22 April 2016
Accepted:
6 May 2016
Published:
6 July 2016
Abstract: Background: Facial nerve palsy is cosmetically distressing and functionally disabling, and may result from several causes, such as trauma, neoplasm, infections or genetics. Purpose: This study reviewed sociodemographic distributions, common types and causes of facial nerve palsy, and cases referred for Physiotherapy between January, 2003 and December, 2012 at a tertiary hospital in Maiduguri, Nigeria. Method: Retrospective study of facial nerve palsy was conducted at the tertiary hospital. Folders of patients diagnosed with facial nerve palsy and managed at the hospital were selected and reviewed using purposive sampling technique. Patients’ information was extracted from the folders and descriptive statistics was utilized to summarize the collected data. Results: A total of 48 folders of patients with facial nerve palsy from January 2003 to December 2012 were retrieved. Age range and mean age of the patients were 3-65 years and 31.02±12.3 years respectively. Age group of 23-32 years was in majority (37.5%) and male patients were more in number (64.6%) than the females. Lower motor neuron facial nerve palsy (56.2%) predominated over upper motor neuron type. Twenty (41.7%) cases were referred for physiotherapy. Conclusion: Although facial nerve palsy from our study is not common in this sub-region, awareness campaign is needed to enlighten the public about this ailing condition.
Abstract: Background: Facial nerve palsy is cosmetically distressing and functionally disabling, and may result from several causes, such as trauma, neoplasm, infections or genetics. Purpose: This study reviewed sociodemographic distributions, common types and causes of facial nerve palsy, and cases referred for Physiotherapy between January, 2003 and Decemb...
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Knowledge and Practice of Breast Self Examination Among Female College Students in Eritrea
Meron Mehari Kifle,
Eyob Azaria Kidane,
Nahom Kiros Gebregzabher,
Adam Mengsteab Teweldeberhan,
Feven Ngusse Sielu,
Kisanet Haile Kidane,
Shamm Habteab Weldemenkerios,
Mikias Gebrezghabher Tesfay
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 4, July 2016
Pages:
104-108
Received:
28 May 2016
Accepted:
12 June 2016
Published:
18 July 2016
Abstract: Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women worldwide. It can be detected at an early stage through breast self-examination as it is the main tool for early detection of breast cancer in developing countries because of its simplicity, applicability and cost effectiveness. The objective of the study was to assess the level of Knowledge and Practice of breast self-examination among female college students in Eritrea. Across sectional study was conducted from January to March 2016 in all colleges of Eritrea. The students were divided into two practical strata as health science and non-health science students. From the strata, 380 participants were selected using systematic random sampling based on probability proportionate to size. Self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. Data was analyzed using SPSS statistical package version 20.0. This study found that only 30.1% of the students had knowledge about breast self-examination and 11.7% practiced breast self examination (BSE). The three main reasons for not practicing were lack of knowledge on how to perform BSE (34%), the belief that there is no problem with their breast (26.4%) and they didn’t think they should be examined (12.8%). Media (52.1%) and Health worker (18.3%) were the main sources of information on BSE. In conclusion, the knowledge and practice level of BSE was found to be low. Therefore, an intensive health education program should be implemented mainly through mass media and at health care facilities.
Abstract: Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women worldwide. It can be detected at an early stage through breast self-examination as it is the main tool for early detection of breast cancer in developing countries because of its simplicity, applicability and cost effectiveness. The objective of the study was to assess the level of Knowledg...
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Systems and Techniques for Removal of Failed Fixed Partial Dentures: A Review
Mohammed Mohammed Al Moaleem
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 4, July 2016
Pages:
109-116
Received:
8 June 2016
Accepted:
20 June 2016
Published:
18 July 2016
Abstract: FPDs have a long life span but sometimes they should be removed for several reasons at which they are; secondary caries, the need for root canal treatment, severe gingival recession or periodontal disease, loosened retainer of a bridge, post loosening, root fracture, over contoured and unaesthetic restorations. The removal of temporary crowns and bridges are usually straightforward, while the removing of permanent cemented restorations are always an unpleasant, anxiety-ridden, risky subject for both dentist and patient. So the objective of the bridge removal is the ability to reuse them and to avoid damaging of the underlying tooth and supporting structures. The FPDs removal instruments are: large spoon excavator, scalar tip, brass ligature wires, matrix band, chisel and hammer. In addition to that, there are also coronal disassembly crown remover forceps, precision-made air-activated units; modified techniques have also been highlighted in this article for ease of use for the clinician. The aim of this review is to give an overview and describe the various available systems and techniques to remove the FPDs and to provide different options for each clinical condition. A PubMed literature was conducted up to June 2015 using the keywords: Crown and bridge (removal, disassembly, failure). Additionally, the bibliographies of 5 previous reviews, their cross references were manually searched.
Abstract: FPDs have a long life span but sometimes they should be removed for several reasons at which they are; secondary caries, the need for root canal treatment, severe gingival recession or periodontal disease, loosened retainer of a bridge, post loosening, root fracture, over contoured and unaesthetic restorations. The removal of temporary crowns and b...
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